That total seems unusually high.
Introduction
Warm up
Have you ever experienced a situation where the price displayed was different from the price charged? How did you react, and why?
Do you think customers should always question prices that seem incorrect, or is it sometimes better to ignore small mistakes? Why?
Speaking
Dialog
At the Checkout
Cashier: That comes to $82.40.
Lucas: I’m sorry, but that total seems unusually high. The pasta sauce and the cereal were both displayed as part of the “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” promotion.
Cashier: Let me review the transaction… It appears the system didn’t apply the promotional discount.
Lucas: That’s concerning. The promotional signage was clearly visible in the aisle.
Cashier: Sometimes promotions are conditional. Did you purchase the exact brand specified in the offer?
Lucas: Yes, I made sure to check the SKU number on the shelf tag to confirm it matched the product.
Cashier: I see. In that case, I’ll need to request a price override from the floor supervisor.
Floor Supervisor Arrives
Supervisor: Good afternoon. I understand there’s a pricing discrepancy?
Lucas: Yes. The promotional offer wasn’t reflected at checkout, despite the signage indicating eligibility.
Supervisor: Our policy states that certain promotions exclude clearance items. Was this product on clearance?
Lucas: Not that I noticed. The shelf label didn’t mention any exclusions or disclaimers.
Supervisor: Let me verify the promotional terms in our internal system.
Lucas: Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to resolve the issue professionally.
Vocabulary
[That comes to, unusually, promotional discount, promotional signage, aisle, SKU number, shelf tag, price override, floor supervisor, pricing discrepancy, at checkout, despite, eligibility, clearance items, disclaimers, willingness to]
Word / Expression | Portuguese | English Explanation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
That comes to… | O total é… | Used to state the final amount to be paid after all items are calculated. | With tax included, that comes to $82.40. |
Unusually | Incomumente / Fora do normal | In a way that differs from what is typical or expected. | The total seemed unusually high for just a few items. |
Promotional discount | Desconto promocional | A temporary price reduction offered as part of a marketing campaign. | The promotional discount should have reduced the total by 20%. |
Promotional signage | Sinalização promocional | In-store advertising signs that display special offers or deals. | The promotional signage clearly stated “Buy One, Get One Free.” |
Aisle | Corredor | The passageway between shelves in a store. | The cereal is located in aisle five. |
SKU number | Código SKU | A unique product identification number used for tracking inventory. | I checked the SKU number to confirm the product was eligible for the promotion. |
Price override | Ajuste manual de preço | A manual correction of a product’s price in the store’s system. | The cashier requested a price override to fix the discrepancy. |
Shelf tag | Etiqueta da prateleira | The price label attached to the shelf where the product is displayed. | The shelf tag showed a different price than the one scanned. |
Floor supervisor | Supervisor de loja | The staff member responsible for overseeing operations on the sales floor. | The floor supervisor came to resolve the pricing issue. |
Pricing discrepancy | Divergência de preço | A difference between the advertised price and the charged price. | There was a pricing discrepancy between the shelf tag and the system. |
At checkout | No caixa / No momento do pagamento | At the point where the customer pays for the items. | The discount wasn’t applied at checkout. |
Despite | Apesar de | Used to show contrast; something happens even though there is an opposing condition. | Despite the clear signage, the discount wasn’t applied. |
Eligibility | Elegibilidade | The condition of meeting the requirements to qualify for something. | The product met the eligibility criteria for the offer. |
Clearance items | Itens em liquidação | Products sold at reduced prices to clear out inventory. | Clearance items are often excluded from additional discounts. |
Disclaimers | Avisos legais / Observações | Statements that limit responsibility or clarify conditions. | The disclaimers were printed in very small text. |
Willingness to | Disposição para | Readiness or openness to do something. | I appreciate your willingness to correct the mistake. |
Exercises
Reading comprehension
Why did Lucas mention checking the SKU number? What does this detail reveal about his approach to the situation?
What might have happened if Lucas had immediately demanded compensation instead of calmly explaining the discrepancy?
What role did the expired promotion play in creating the pricing discrepancy?
Fill-in-the-Blanks Exercise
Word Bank:
That comes to, unusually, promotional discount, promotional signage, aisle, SKU number, shelf tag, price override, floor supervisor, pricing discrepancy, at checkout, despite, eligibility, clearance items, disclaimers, willingness to
✏ Instructions:
Complete each sentence using the correct expression from the word bank. Use each expression only once.
1️⃣ After scanning all the items, the cashier said, “With tax included, __________ $94.60.”
2️⃣ The total seemed __________ high considering I only bought three products.
3️⃣ The cereal was part of a __________ that reduced the price by 25% for a limited time.
4️⃣ The __________ clearly stated that the offer was valid until Sunday.
5️⃣ I found the product in the baking __________ near the flour and sugar.
6️⃣ I double-checked the __________ on the package to make sure it matched the one listed in the promotion.
7️⃣ The __________ showed a lower price than the system registered.
8️⃣ Since the system wouldn’t apply the discount, the manager had to perform a __________.
9️⃣ The cashier called the __________ to resolve the issue professionally.
🔟 There appears to be a __________ between the price displayed and the one charged.
1️⃣1️⃣ The discount wasn’t applied __________, even though the product qualified.
1️⃣2️⃣ __________ the expired promotion, the store decided to honor the advertised price.
1️⃣3️⃣ The product met the __________ requirements for the seasonal offer.
1️⃣4️⃣ Additional discounts usually do not apply to __________.
1️⃣5️⃣ The small print and __________ explained the limitations of the promotion.
1️⃣6️⃣ I appreciate your __________ correct the error promptly.
Role play
Role play the dialog by applying the following words
That comes to, unusually, promotional discount, promotional signage, aisle, SKU number, shelf tag, price override, floor supervisor, pricing discrepancy, at checkout, despite, eligibility, clearance items, disclaimers, willingness to
